A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of john hosea kerr, iii, former member of the general assembly.

Whereas, John H. Kerr, III, was born on February 28, 1936, in Richmond, Virginia, to John H. Kerr, Jr. and Mary Hinton Duke Kerr; and
Whereas, John H Kerr, III, grew up in Warrenton, North Carolina, graduating from John Graham High School in 1954; and
Whereas, John H. Kerr, III, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1958, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and was awarded a juris doctorate, with honors, from the University's School of Law in 1961, where he was a member of the Law Review and Order of the Coif; and
Whereas, John H. Kerr, III, proudly served his country as a member of the North Carolina National Guard from 1954 to 1962, achieving the rank of sergeant; and
Whereas, after law school, John H. Kerr, III, and his wife, Sandra Moore Edgerton Kerr, moved to her hometown of Goldsboro, where he practiced law for over 50 years primarily in the areas of civil and corporate law and served in various leadership capacities for the bar associations in Wayne County, the Eighth Judicial District, and the State; and
Whereas, following a family tradition of public service, John H. Kerr, III, served with honor and distinction in the General Assembly, serving as a member of the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1992 and as a member of the Senate from 1993 to 2008; and
Whereas, while in the Senate, John H. Kerr, III, made significant contributions as cochair of the Finance and Revenue Laws Study Committees, vice‑chair of the Select Committee on Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Military Affairs, and as a member of several committees, including Appropriations/Base Budget, Appropriations on Health and Human Services, Commerce, Judiciary II, Opportunities and Needs for Economic Growth in North Carolina, and Ways and Means; and
Whereas, John H. Kerr, III, was a member of the Jaycees and Rotary Club and served on many boards, including the Wayne County Public Library, Wayne Memorial Building, Mount Olive College Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County, North Carolina National Bank, Southern National Bank, and Branch Banking and Trust; and
Whereas, John H. Kerr, III, received numerous awards and recognitions during his lifetime, including being named Boss of the Year by the Goldsboro Charter Chapter of the American Business Women in 1978, and receiving the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award in 2008 for noteworthy and extraordinary leadership in his community; and
Whereas, in his long and distinguished career, John H. Kerr, III, earned the respect and affection of his peers and colleagues for his courage and candor, vigor and determination, keen intellect, and the enthusiasm which he gave to all of his endeavors; and
Whereas, John H. Kerr, III, towered over many with his physical height, but never looked down on others; he worked to uplift and encourage people, and was especially proud to represent his district and spoke fondly of his constituents in Wayne County as he worked on issues in the General Assembly; and
Whereas, in his spare time, John H. Kerr, III, enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf, hunting, and attending athletic events at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
Whereas, John H. Kerr, III, was an active member of the Madison Avenue Baptist Church in Goldsboro; and
Whereas, John H. Kerr, III, died on May 24, 2015, after a distinguished life of public service; and
Whereas, John H. Kerr, III, is survived by his wife, Sandra Edgerton Kerr; two sons, John Hosea Kerr, IV, and James Yancey Kerr, II; four grandchildren: John Hosea Kerr, V, Isabel Sedwick Kerr, James Yancey Kerr, III, and Helen Edgerton Kerr; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of John H. Kerr, III, and expresses its appreciation for his long and distinguished career as a lawyer and legislator and for his civic and political leadership.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly of North Carolina extends its deep and sincere sympathy to the members of the family of John H. Kerr, III, for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of John H. Kerr, III.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 9th day of June, 2016.

	s/	 Daniel J. Forest
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Tim Moore
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives